Much like many teams around the NFL, the Washington Football Team has been hit hard with COVID-19. Wednesday, Washington is expected to place quarterback Kyle Allen and defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis on the reserve/COVID-19 list, according to multiple reports.
The addition of Allen and Ioannidis gives Washington 13 players affected by COVID-19 in the past nine days.
Allen is Washington’s backup quarterback. However, his placement is peculiar as starter Taylor Heinicke is banged up. Heinicke is nursing knee and elbow injuries. Heinicke exited last week’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys early in the fourth quarter and Allen finished the game.
While Heinicke is on track to play Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington added depth to their QB room. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Washington signed former XFL quarterback Jordan Ta’amu to the practice squad.
Ta’amu and Heinicke were teammates for the St. Louis BattleHawks. Ta’amu ws actually the starter over Heinicke.
Washington already has quarterback Kyle Shurmur on the practice squad. If Allen is unavailable for the Eagles game, Shurmur is expected to be elevated for the game. Surely, the team is hoping he’ll be in a backup role and not as starter.
Washington and the Eagles are both 6-7 entering Week 15. Washington currently holds the tiebreaker and the seventh and final NFC playoff berth. The winner of Sunday’s game gets a leg up in the race for a playoff spot.
